Communications webs with personal communications links for PSTN subscribers

ABSTRACT

Systems for connecting telecommunications infrastructure lines to telephones, handsets, computers, telecopy machines and other end user interfaces or consumer electronics devices in a residence or business. Systems according to the present invention include Network Control Units which form the center of a star topology and which communicate via RF link with Wireless Access Units and handsets. Wireless Access Units feature an interface, such as, for example, a standard telephone jack, for accommodating a telephone, a fax machine, a compute modem or other device. Computers or other devices may also be accommodated by Wireless Access Units having other physical and virtual interfaces, including, for instance, serial ports or network interfaces. The Wireless Access Units may also be digital to accommodate ISDN or any other digital standard. Wireless control/monitoring accessories may also be employed to communicate with the Network Control Unit and provide additional functionality such as entrance monitoring, baby monitoring, HVAC control and other services. Personal Communication Links provide wireless handset and speakerphone services. The Personal Communication Links include independent talk/listen paths from the unit to the Network Control Unit. In addition, each Personal Communication Link includes circuitry for automatically adjusting from high-volume/high-microphone sensitivity for speakerphone operation to low-volume/low-microphone sensitivity for conventional handset operation.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This document is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/843,700,filed Apr. 16, 1997, entitled “Communications Webs for PSTNSubscribers”, Snelling, McIntosh & Tucker, inventors, now U.S. Pat. No.6,058,104 which is in turn a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/709,597filed Sep. 9, 1996 entitled “Home Personal Communications System,” nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,805,582 having the same inventors, which is in turn acontinuation of Ser. No. 08/262,214, filed Jun. 17, 1994, now U.S. Pat.No. 5,555,258 issued Sep. 10, 1996 having the same inventors, all threeof which applications and patent are incorporated into this document asif fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Demand for access to voice and data communications on the publicswitched telephone network (“PSTN”) is growing exponentially. Not onlyis the subscriber base expanding logarithmically, but even moresignificantly, individual subscribers are beginning to require more thanone connection and frequently multiple connections. In addition tocellular telephones, pagers, and other mobile devices, residence-basedconnectivity is a significant factor in this exponential growth of thePSTN. Subscribers have begun in recent times and in significant volumeto require second and third connections as a matter of course, such asfor Global Information Infrastructure (so-called “Internet”)connectivity, facsimile and data communications and for childrens'lines.

Although it is conventional for a residence to contain standardtelephone devices in various rooms supported by one line and perhaps acomputer supported by another, the days of standard analog “plain oldtelephone service” or “POTS” are being overshadowed by the demand forconnections with sufficient capacity to support graphics, video,interactive applications and devices, and the so-called “pushtechnology.” In 1995, for instance, the Regional Bell OperatingCompanies (“RBOC's”) began transporting more data than voicecommunications. Accordingly, not only are subscribers employing morelines; the nature of the connection is also changing. The rate of changewill only increase over time.

The increased demand for residential subscriber connections, and theever changing nature of those connections as new standards emerge fornew and different services, confront a serious physical obstacle: thepermanent physically limited nature of the residential wiring plant.Twisted pair is a small pipe. Standards such as ADSL aim to breakthrough these physically-imposed limitations by delivering multiplechannels on a single line and splitting analog and digital channels atthe customer demarcation point in a manner that allows digital signalsto be delivered to a nearby computer. Standards have also evolved, suchas 100-base-T, to squeeze performance from the installed twisted pairplant, but limits dictated by the non-shielded nature of that mediumwill always exist. In any event, any physical wiring plant or medium,present or future, will suffer electrical and thus transport limitationsdue to wireline, coaxial, fiber or other medium physical properties andcharacteristics. Connectivity in the residence which avoids suchphysically-imposed pipe constrictions would therefore be beneficial.

Inevitably, subscribers will require an ever increasing array ofcomputers and other connected electronic devices throughout theresidence. Such devices will include not only those which resemblecomputers or televisions in nature which require a large data pipe tosupport graphics, video and audio content. They may also be anyelectronic device one wishes to access remotely, many of which will taxthe infrastructure in their own way with, for instance, new consumerelectronics standards and interactive requirements. For example, theanticipated 128 bit Internet protocol address format can, it isestimated, support every light bulb in the world, each with its own IPaddress. Residential connectivity must accordingly take into account notonly the magnitude and nature of additional capacity demand imposed byeach new device, but also the increasing volume of the new devices withwhich subscribers will inevitably populate their residences and smallbusinesses.

Presently, most residences feature only twisted pair wiring in thewalls. Even at the time of this writing, that plant is ofteninsufficient for the requirements imposed by certain conventionalresidence based computer equipment. Rewiring for additional linesthroughout the house, whether via today's twisted pair or perhaps coaxstandard, is trouble and expense enough, as well as a great disincentivewhich constricts demand for increased residential bandwidth. As timepasses and the rate of technology change increases, however, subscriberscould find themselves needing to rewire every several years in order toaccommodate changing standards and the need for an ever greaterdistribution pipe. Although fiber plants could theoretically provide asolution, cost considerations rule them out as a practical solution formost residences and small businesses.

These factors create a need for connectivity in the residence betweenthe PSTN customer demarcation point and an ever increasing array andvolume of telephones, fax machines, bandwidth-intensive devices such ascomputers and televisions, and any other device which may be connectedto the PSTN or feature an IP address. Such connectivity must suffice notonly for today; it must alleviate the need to rewire the residence inorder to accommodate new changes. It must accommodate new devices,formats, protocols and standards, whether analog or digital. It must beflexible and modular in design in order to accommodate a wide-ranging,ever changing, ever evolving set of needs and preferences among thesubscriber base. It cannot afford to be constricted by the physicallyimposed limitations inherent in wireline, coaxial, fiber, or otherphysical residential plants. Yet it must be a reasonably priced solutionin order to avoid imposing a constriction on growth and evolution of thetelecommunications distribution infrastructure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems according to the present invention feature a Network ControlUnit or Web Control Unit (“NCU”) which interfaces to any desired numberof PSTN connections. Where the connections are analog, a NetworkInterface in the NCU digitizes the signals and otherwise renders themcompatible for delivery to a cross-connect switch, which may beinternal. The switch may be programmed in the residence or remotely toconnect signals from each PSTN connection via radiofrequency linkefficiently and in a frequency spectrum-conservative manner to anynumber and combination of wireless jacks or wireless access units. Thesewireless access units accompany and connect to the subscriber'stelephones, computers, fax machines, and other electronic devices in theresidence or small business. Subscribers can, therefore, configure theircommunications webs to accommodate their own communications needs byprogramming the switch based on the number and nature of their PSTNconnections, their present and future telephones, computers, faxmachines and other devices, and their personal preferences about, forinstance, what lines should ring and be connected where in theresidence.

Handsets, Wireless Access Units, Personal Communications Links and/orwireless jacks employed in communications webs of the present inventionmay comprise relatively simple and inexpensive electronics to receiveand process the radiofrequency link based signals and connect them tothe subscriber equipment. The handsets include a transceiver,multiplex/demultiplex circuits, analog/digital conversion circuits suchas so-called “codec's” and control circuitry with a combination of, forinstance, microphone and earphone for voice communications, and perhapsa jack for data communications.

Wireless Access Units contain circuitry similar to the handset in analogenvironments, plus additional circuitry for delivery of the signal to astandard interface such as an RJ-11 jack. Such Wireless Access Units canbe made available, according to the present invention, to accommodateany physical and electrical interface standard, such as Wireless AccessUnits for ISDN interfaces and any other desired digital services. When asubscriber decides to connect a new computer to the PSTN via an ISDNline, for example, the subscriber can simply buy a new, relativelyinexpensive digital Wireless Access Unit with RS 232 port, connect thatunit to the computer, reprogram the Network Control Unit to connect thenew ISDN connection and new Wireless Access Unit, and thereby beconnected via an efficient RF link rather than needing to call acontractor to tear the walls out.

Personal Communications Links provide wireless handset and speakerphoneservices. The PCL is a small, slim, portable unit operated byrechargeable batteries. The PCL includes independent talk/listen pathsfrom the PCL to the NCU. Duplexing circuitry either within the NCU orthe PCL allow the speakerphone capability to be added. In addition, thePCL automatically adjusts from high-volume/high-microphone sensitivityfor speakerphone operation to low-volume/low-microphone sensitivity forconventional handset operation. The PCL may include a conductive stripalong its side that, when gripped, automatically adjusts the gain to thespeaker and microphone elements.

The PSTN connections may therefore terminate in the residence at aNetwork Control Unit which may be physically small and innocuous inappearance, perhaps placed on a table or counter or mounted on a walland, if desired, coupled to a nearby electrical outlet and to acontroller such as a personal computer or other interface if the userdesires control other than by interfaces on the Network Control Unititself. The unit may feature a stub antenna, enclosed planar antenna orother desired antenna. Throughout the residence, any device desired toconnect to the PSTN can connect to or contain its own Wireless AccessUnit which may be battery powered and connect to the NCU via the RFlink. No additional physical medium need be provided.

The present invention accordingly makes possible wireless, efficient,flexible and modular connectivity between any desired device and thePSTN (or other telecommunications infrastructure) within the residenceor small business. The Network Control Unit itself may be modular indesign to accommodate various circuit boards for various changing andevolving standards and protocols. Multiple NCU's may be employed, ormultiple NCU functionality may be incorporated into a unit, in order toaccommodate objectives such as, for instance, diversity, hand-offcapability and additional capacity. New Wireless Access Units may bepurchased for whatever particular devices a particular subscriberdesires, and he or she may update the system with new circuit boards andnew Wireless Access Units and perhaps new handsets as time passes, newdevices and services evolve, and standards change.

The Network Control Unit may be programmed by the subscriber using aninterface on the unit. It may be connected via network or PSTN link to aremote programming source, either for the subscriber's control orcontrol by a service bureau. Such programming of the Network ControlUnit, and other control and signaling, may occur via connectivity to thePSTN signaling and control infrastructure, including the so-called“Advanced Intelligence Networks.”

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide aflexible, modular system which provides connectivity between the PSTN orother telecommunications infrastructure and any desired electronicdevices a subscriber wishes to connect, via RF link.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide businessand residential wireless connectivity between the PSTN and computers,handsets, and other devices which eliminates the need to rewirebusinesses and residences in order to accommodate new standards andservices.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide RF-basedconnectivity between any number of PSTN lines and any number of nowexisting or future electronic devices, in a modular and flexible manner.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent with respect to the remainder of this document.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a residence which features one embodimentof a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, greatly simplified, representation of a TimeDivision Multiplex Access (“TDMA”) frame having eight slots supportingfour bi-directional channels in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A is a high level functional block diagram of a Network ControlUnit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram, at a lower level than FIG. 3A, of aNetwork Control Unit according to one embodiment of the presentinvention in which four coder/decoder or “codec's” are employed inconnection with four analog POTS lines.

FIG. 3C is a functional block diagram of a single codec which mayaccommodate the four lines, for instance, shown in FIG. 3B as analternative design for purely analog POTS lines.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a handsetaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a WirelessAccess Unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a Network Control Unit which isadapted to accommodate the ISDN standard, alone or in connection withother analog PSTN connections.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a Network Control Unit accordingto the present invention adapted to accommodate three analog and onedigital PSTN connections.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a digitalWireless Access Unit according to the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are functional block diagrams as one embodiment ofswitching/processing circuitry contained in one embodiment of a WirelessAccess Unit or handset according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a high level functional block diagram of transceivercircuitry which may be employed in the present invention if desired.

FIG. 11A is a simplified flow diagram illustrating one configurationsequence of the Network Control Unit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11B is a table showing configuration of the Network Control Unit ofFIG. 3 resulting from the configuration sequence shown in FIG. 11A.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams showing operation of acommunications web according to the present invention according toExample 1 discussed below.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing operation of anothercommunications web according to the present invention according toExample 2 discussed below.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a Personal Communications Link, accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the PersonalCommunications Link illustrated in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic hypothetical floor plan for a residence orbusiness containing one simple embodiment of a communications webaccording to the present invention. The floor plan shows a NetworkControl Unit or “NCU” 100 which terminates four central office POTSlines or connections designated “CO1” through “CO4.” In embodimentsother than the particular one shown in FIG. 1, the connections may occurother than in the so-called “local loop.” They may also occur in anymedium, including wireline, coaxial, fiber, terrestrial radiofrequencylink, satellite link. Each connection may supply any number and sort ofcommunications channels, including analog or digital according to anypresent or future standard, format or protocol. The connections may alsooriginate in or contain signals transported by telecommunicationsinfrastructure or networks other than the PSTN, whether switched ornon-switched, circuit based switched, packet based switched orotherwise. For convenience in disclosing structure and operation ofcommunications webs according to the present invention, however,reference will be made to the PSTN, but in a non-limiting fashion.

A number of Wireless Access Units or wireless jacks (“WAU's”) 201-203may be found throughout the floor plan, linked via RF link to the NCU.Additionally, a number of handsets and conventional telephones 300-304whether portable or connected to a WAU may also be found throughout thefloor plan. Other electronic devices such as a fax 400 may be included;fax 400 in FIG. 1 is shown connected to a WAU 202.

Any number of connections may terminate in one or more NCUs for aparticular location according to the present invention. Similarly, WAUsaccording to the present invention, which may be RF linked to one ormore NCUs for a particular location, can be adapted to accommodate anytelecommunication, consumer electronic or other required standard,format or protocol, whether analog or digital and can be manufacturedand sold individually for that purpose to render communications websaccording to the present invention modular in nature with a mix ofcomponents to suit every reasonable taste and preference. A WAU mayconnect to, for instance, a “telephone”, such as telephone instrument300 in FIG. 1, a conventional modem, directly to a personal computer viaISDN WAU, to a fax machine via fax WAU, or any other desired electronicdevice. A number of WAUs and handsets may be employed according to thepresent invention to accommodate any particular combination ofelectronic devices the subscriber desires to have connected to the PSTN.FIG. 1 is simply a hypothetical floor plan in order to provide a modicumof topological perspective relative to NCUs, WAUs, handsets and otherelectronic devices as employed in communications webs of the presentinvention.

Network Control Unit

FIGS. 3A through 3C show, in functional block diagram format,embodiments and portions of embodiments of Network Control Units(“NCU's”) according to the present invention. According to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, NCU 100 includes interfacecircuitry for interfacing with PSTN or other lines or connections from aswitch or other component of the PSTN or other telecommunicationstransport infrastructure or network, whether analog or digital. Thiscircuitry, denominated “Network Interface” 650 as shown in FIG. 3A,couples to switching (and, if desired, bridging and accessory) circuitryas shown with numeral 660 in FIG. 3A. This discussion considers signalsin a “downstream” or a PSTN to NCU to WAU direction, from whichcorresponding signal flow in the opposite direction is apparent.

The Cross Connect Switch/Conference Bridge/Accessory Block (“CAB”)components couple signals from the Network Interface corresponding toincoming lines, in a predetermined and programmable manner, withadditional functionality, if desired, to downstream circuitry foreventual RF transmission to WAU's and handsets. The switching andbridging components of the CAB are the portion of the Network ControlUnit that allow the subscriber either remotely or locally to designateby programming into the NCU which of his or her telephone instruments,computers, fax machines, and other devices connect to various PSTN linesat particular times of day or under particular conditions. Either orboth of the Bridging and Accessory circuits may be omitted, if desired,so that the CAB only performs the switching functionality.

The signals being properly switched in the CAB as designated for thesubscriber's devices are then delivered to the NCU's “Radio MultiplexEngine” as shown in FIG. 3A with numeral 670. The RME multiplexes thesignals as, for instance, by time division multiplex access, oraccording to any desired format, onto a number of predetermined channelsfor bandwidth and RF frequency conservation. The multiplexed signals aredelivered to Radio Transceiver 680 where the signals may be conditioned,again multiplexed according to any desired format, and modulated onto anappropriate RF carrier or carriers in a programmable manner or asotherwise desired for transmission to WAUs 200, handsets 300 and otherdevices if desired. Multiplexing, modulation, and other processing inorder to render signals at the CAB output compatible for RFtransmission, may occur in the same module or any desired combination ofmodules or circuits.

An NCU Controller 690 connects to all circuits in the NCU and may beprogrammed via user interface on the NCU, via computer coupled to theController or other portions of the NCU, or remotely over one of theincoming lines 640. The Controller 690 may itself be networked to thePSTN or other telecommunications infrastructure signaling and controlnetwork, such as for remote or partially remote control by AdvancedIntelligence Networks or other signaling and control networks.

In greater detail, the Network Interface 650 of the NCU may be modularin design and contains the circuits that connect to the public switchedtelephone network for accommodating various media, including twistedpair, coax, fiber and wireless, and various modes, including analog,digital or a hybrid. A Network Interface may be modular and portions forall lines may be implemented in applications specific integratedcircuitry (“ASIC”) medium to accommodate analog circuits, or servicesrequiring, among other interfaces, ISDN, T-1, CATV/COAX, ATM, micro-ATM,AMPS, N-AMPS, TDMA digital cellular, CDMA digital cellular, analog ordigital SMR (Nextel), PCS, LEO satellite, geosychronous satellite,Internet protocol or any other present or future form of wireless orwireline local loop or other telecommunications infrastructure service.As shown in FIG. 3B, the Network Interface for a system according to thepresent invention which accommodates four POTS lines, could take theform of a quad arrangement of independent Direct Access Arrangement(“DAA”) circuits 690, each having appropriate transformer, isolator andline protection circuitry as required, a two to four wire hybrid 700,and a coder/decoder (“code”) 10. The Network Interface circuitry isaccordingly adapted for appropriate isolation, impedance matching, lineprotection, medium conversion (two wire to four wire) andanalog-to-digital/digital-to-analog conversion in order for its outputsignal 720 to be coupled to CAB 660. (The functionality in POTS versionsof direct access arrangement circuits 690 comprises conventionalcomponents and is conventionally implemented.)

FIG. 3C shows an alternative arrangement for a Network Interface adaptedto accommodate four POTS lines. There, the line conditioning circuitrywhich can include hybrids 700 and other components cross-couples to asingle code 710, instead of the requirement that a code be employed foreach line 640. Output of the Network Interface may be on a bus 730instead of individual outputs coupled to CAB 660, in order to coupleNetwork Interface 650 to CAB 660 via a multiplexed connection forphysical simplicity and logical implementation. For ISDN, the NetworkInterface may be the so-called “U-Interface” and associated 4-leveldibit modem circuitry. Other digital services require a NetworkInterface especially adapted to interface to a particular medium, formatand protocol.

For any of the wireless local loop or so called fixed wireless servicesincluding satellite, the Network Interface may be a wireless modem whichincludes a radio receiver or transceivers and appropriatemodulation/demodulation, coding and decoding circuitry. When the NetworkInterface is a wireless modem/Radio Transceiver, the NCU 100 operates asa radio transponder or rebroadcast unit, communicating with the PSTN viaone wireless protocol, and with the WAUs 200, handsets 300 and othercomponents of systems according to the present invention via the same orperhaps different protocols. This aspect of the invention may becounter-intuitive: If the connection to the PSTN is wireless, oneapproach is simply to connect directly to any location in the residenceinstead of relaying signals through the NCU 100. However, systemsaccording to the present invention address a problem this approach wouldpresent, because Radio Transceivers that interface to the PSTN typicallymust comply with elaborate air interface standards having precisefrequency control, well-defined RF bandwidth, higher transmit power (toaccommodate the greater distance to a cell tower or PCS antenna), betterreceiver sensitivity, higher battery drain and shorter battery life, andincrease complexity and expense. A handset 300 or a WAU 200 according tothe present invention, however, is a far simpler and less expensivedevice which need only accommodate the present invention's lessstringent internal air interface standards, but nevertheless retain thefunctionality to provide corded quality and reliability forindoor/nearby outdoor service that is inexpensive, compact, lightweight,flexible and manufactured and sold, if desired, tailored to specificdevices such as faxes or various digital standards which not everysubscriber may wish to employ.

Incoming connections to the Network Interface 650 could be physicallyseparate twisted pairs as in the case of analog POTS lines where eachline terminates from the PSTN via an independent twisted pair;alternatively, each incoming circuit can be multiplexed over a singlepair, such as two digital circuits provided by a conventional, basicrate (2B+D) ISDN line. A 6 megabit per second micro-ATM fiber connectioncould provide digital voice service, MPEG-2 digital video and otherservices over a single optical fiber which could be de-multiplexed(multiplexed for outgoing or upstream information) in the NetworkInterface, and incoming lines could be virtual. That is, additionallines could be assigned on an as needed basis and charged accordingly.For example, a subscriber might have connection to one line from 10:00p.m. to 7:00 a.m, two lines from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and four linesfrom 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and be billed accordingly for the partialuse. As discussed below, the CAB 660 can be programmed to accommodatechanges in the PSTN connections in real time in order to distributebandwidth and service as desired among various WAUs 200, handsets 300and the other end user interface devices.

The NCU 100 may be capable of routing calls or sessions via the globalinformation infrastructure, whether or not compressed (such as, forinstance, using telemedia branded compression or other compression).Such an NCU 100 adapted for this purpose at present may employ NetPhonebranded functionality, as one example of presently available suitablefunctionality. Successors will be equally suitable.

Cross Connect Switch/Conference Bridge/Accessory Block

Cross connect switch/conference bridge/accessory blocks (“CAB's”)according to the present invention may be, electronically or virtually,an n×m switch which is programmed to interconnect any incoming signal720 from the Network Interface 650, (whether physical, virtual,multiplexed or wireless) to a number of output signals or interfaceswhich correspond to communications channels, according to one topology,or to combinations of the handsets, telephones, fax machines, computersor other devices serviced by WAU's 200 and/or handsets 300 of thepresent invention, according to another topology. The CAB 660 can, butneed not, include functionality simply to bridge or conference thesesame circuits and/or remote devices, thus eliminating the need forfurther processing of the signals beyond CAB 660. A CAB may additionallycontain a variety of decoders, generators, synthesizers and othercircuits as desired.

CAB 660 is preferably coupled to a local Control Processor and/or anexternal computer and/or network or server, if desired. The externalconnection may be directly by bus or synchronous connection, or via anyof the PSTN lines 640. In systems according to the present inventionhaving multiple NCUs, CABs 660, Control Processors 690 and othercomponents may be coupled and/or networked among various NCUs and/orexternal/or server control capacity.

The CAB shown in FIG. 3A is under control of a local Control Processor685 and personal computer 687. For voice services, the CAB 660 mayfunction similar to a central switchboard and conference bridge routingeach line to one or more Wireless Access Units 200 and/or handsets 300as programmed in Control Processors 685 and/or PC 687. Multiple lines640, handsets 300, telephones connected to WAUs 200, and other devicesmay be conferenced to form any number of permutations and combinationsof conferences. One wireless handset can call another without using anyof external lines 640 simply using the allotted time slots, codes or RFchannels involving the two handsets 300, or telephones connected to aWAU 200. A conference call of any two or more internal handset ortelephone devices can similarly occur. Calls or conferences amongmultiple devices on multiple networked or shared NCU's can similarlyoccur.

The CAB 660, like other components in the NCU, the WAU's and thehandsets, can be implemented in analog circuits including relays,transistors, CMOS media or any other application specific or nonspecificanalog components and/or integrated circuits, but preferably signals 720arriving at CAB 660 are digital so that CAB 660 may be implementedentirely digitally.

CABs 660, according to the present invention, are adapted to route anddirect data signals, such as, for example, when using external dataservices via Internet or internal networks within the subscriber'slocation. In the voice case, virtual circuits may be established foreach call which can remain in place for the duration of a call. In thedata case, a Carrier Since Multiple Access (“CSMA”), AsynchronousTransfer Mode (“ATM”) or packet switching protocol can be employed,among other formats or protocols, in order to support a larger number ofburst devices. A combination of virtual data circuits and CSMA can beemployed if desired. In similar fashion, CABs 660, according to thepresent invention, are also adapted to accommodate voice and datatraffic simultaneously, routing traffic and managing resources asdesired.

Conference Bridge functionality in the CAB 660 is preferably implementedas a high quality digital bridge which maintains all connections atsuitable and equal audio levels. Although the Conference Bridgefunctionality can be implemented in analog circuits, again it ispreferably implemented digitally using logic or digital signalprocessing. Digital leveling and noise control may be used to maintainvoice circuit quality regardless of the numbers of parties bridgedtogether. The Conference Bridge may also be adapted to bridge in one ormore outside lines onto an existing circuit, adding handsets 300 and/orWAUs 200 to the circuit.

The Accessory Block functionality, which may, but need not, form aportion of CABs 660 according to the present invention, may containfeatures which add flexibility and additional levels of services tocommunications webs according to the present invention. The AccessoryBlock functionality may include, for instance, DTMF generator, DTMFdecoder, speech synthesizer, speech recognizer, speech compressionexpander (ADCPM), digital speech interpolation (DSI), caller ID decoder,low or high speed telephone modem, fax modem capable of Group III orsimilar functions, real time clock/calendar digital telephone answeringdevice (TAD) and other functionality as desired. These functions areprovided in conjunction with the Control Processor 685 and otherportions of CAB 660 to implement capability such as autodialing, remoteprogrammability, voice command features, digital voice prompting, voicestore and forward, and other advanced functionality. Portions or all ofthe Accessory Block Functionality may be sited on board or remote to NCU100 as desired for particular implementations. External connections canadapt the NCU to an existing external fax/modem unit, for instance.

Functionality which may also be included in the NCU 100 includesintelligent call control. For instance, a CPT generator included in NCU100 can generate simulated dial tone when off hook. The NCU 100interprets touch-tone dialing inputs from a handset 300 or WAU 200, addsappropriate prefix or other signaling, or for instance, automaticallyadds new and changed area code signaling for dialing a number which theNCU 100 recognizes but whose area code or other call control informationhas changed. Likewise, the NCU 100 can correct dialing errors in singledigits of familiar numbers in order to prevent misdials and wrongnumbers. Such functionality can be employed to add signaling so that theuser need only dial a portion of the number, similar to automatic“fastfill” data entry in conventional software applications. Suchsignaling can also reflect intelligence within the device or based atleast in part on information to which the NCU 100 connects, whichprovides least cost routing to different long distance carriersaccording to time, and station called, among other factors. Variousother signaling capabilities can be implemented and automated asdesired, including those such as automating the Internet ServiceProvider/Long Distance server.

The NCU Switching, Bridging and Accessory Block functionality or anyother software employed by NCU 100 may reside on board the NCU and maybut need not be remotely programmable or upgradeable. It may alsoincorporate remotely accessed or pushed program and or data objectsand/or applications as desired, including in the JAVA, Active/X, orother languages. It may also include any other desired application,including, for instance, voice/data encryption among the NCU 100, WAU200 and handset 300 for privacy, network security, fraud protection andauthentication.

NCU's 100 according to the present invention preferably include astandard connector such as an RJ-11 connector which may be hardwired toa single line telephone or connected, for example, to existing in-homewiring. This connector permits the NCU 100 to manage the existingtelephone or wiring as part of its network, perhaps permitting them toanswer any ringing line. Alternatively, a POTS NCU 100 could have a dropout relay or FET circuit which may automatically switch the existingwiring over to this connector in the event of a power failure or asystem failure. If the NCU 100 is equipped with backup batteries orother auxiliary power, it may continue to function either until mainspower is restored or its batteries become exhausted in which case itdrops off-line and switches to the emergency bypass routing to theexternal connector.

Control Processor 685 according to the present invention commandsswitching, routing, RF, accessory and other functionality implemented inCAB 660, Radio Transceiver 680 and other circuits in NCU 100 s accordingto the present invention. Control Processor 685 could be a smallmicro-controller chip, although more processing power may be required toaccommodate ISDN and other digital interface NCUs 100. Then, externalPCS 687 and, if desired, servers, may participate in the controlfunctions. A very simple algorithm by which the Control Processor 685governs CAB 660 for the topology shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 11Aand 11B, in which, step-by-step, lines 640 are matched in the CAB 660 tovarious WAUs 200, handsets 300, and other devices. The controlalgorithms and programming itself may occur locally as by an interface689 which may be implemented in buttons or a keyboard, by PC 687 orexternal connection, including network or telecommunicationsinfrastructure.

Alternatively, systems of the present invention are adapted to permitcontrol of the NCU 100, including Control Processor 685 and CAB 660 froma remote service center so that a subscriber can call the service centerin the event the subscriber feels technically short of the task ofprogramming his or her NCU to accommodate various WAUs 200 and handsets300. Configuration data could also be downloaded from a website.

PC and other external connectivity leverages on higher intelligence ofthe PC, additional mass memory functionality for updates and databasesand similar applications, the more convenient user interface, and moreelaborate applications software such as, for instance, directorymanagement, spreadsheets and database managers, PC based speechsynthesis and recognition software.

Radio Multiplex Engine

CAB output signals 750 are coupled to a radio multiplex engine 670according to the present invention which can comprise a digital logicblock that implements any of the following functionality:multiplexing/demultiplexing, preferably but not necessarily TDMA/TDD(Time Division Multiplex Access/Time Division Duplex), forward errorcontrol and general error management, speech compression if required,code division multiplex and demultiplexing, if any, hopset generation ifany, and other critical timing, synchronization and coding functionscritical to the operation of the systems according to the presentinvention.

RME's 670 according to the present invention generally but notnecessarily operate at speeds sufficiently high to render ControlProcessor 685 management ineffective, although that need not be thecase.

RME signals 770 are coupled, in systems of the present invention, towireless Radio Transceiver (“RT”) circuitry 680 as shown in FIG. 3A. TheRT 680 may be a low cost multiplexed Radio Transceiver or set oftransceivers which provides proper modulation onto RF carriers asdesired with or without multiplexing and duplexing according to any ofthe following formats or others: TDMA/TDD, TDMA/FDD, CDMA/FDD, CDMA/TDD,FDMA/TDD, or FDMA/FDD, or any of these with frequency hopping or directfrequency spread spectrum. The primary function is to achievetransmission of multiple simultaneous independent data streams to WAUs200 and handsets 300.

Multiplexing is but one aspect of the larger issue of bandwidthconservation and resource sharing, which also includes duplexing andchannelizing, among other things. For purposes of this disclosure,multiplexing means methods of multiple remote units communicatingsimultaneously with a common NCU 100 for access to the PSTN. Duplexingmeans methods of simultaneous upstream and downstream communications,such as simultaneous communications from an NCU 100 to a given handset300 and from the handset back to the NCU. Channelizing means methods ofbandwidth sharing so that multiple systems, each consisting of an NCU,handsets and WAU's, which may happen to fall within radio range of oneanother, such as in an apartment building, for instance, can share thesame band but not interfere with one another.

Time division multiplexing and code division multiplexing are bothacceptable forms of multiplexing, among others, for purposes of thepresent invention. With time division multiplexing, carrier bandwidth isnarrower than code division multiplexing access bandwidth, facilitatingfrequency-domain channelizing. While CDMA could also be employed forchannelizing, such as, for instance, the different NCU's usingorthogonal spreading codes on the same RF carrier frequency, it isgenerally necessary to control transmit power levels very tightly sothat the well-known near-far problem of direct sequence spread spectrumdoes not create difficulty. This means that it would be necessary tocoordinate the transmit power levels from one NCU to the next and amongthe handsets as well. This could be a technically challenging problem.

Most CDMA cellular and PCS systems that are in place as of thisdisclosure use frequency division duplexing (FDD) rather than timedivision duplexing (TDD) for bi-directional communications. It would notbe practical to use CDMA for duplexing at present. Using TDD, it ispossible to use the same RF channel for bi-directional communications.TDD also eliminates the need for the costly duplex filter that routestransmit energy to the antenna away from the receiver and vice versa,replacing it with a relatively compact, inexpensive diplex switch.TDMA/TDD with frequency-domain channelizing is therefore the preferredembodiment of duplexing as of this disclosure. Time divisionmultiplexing is preferred over FDMA, at present, because FDMA wouldrequire the generation of a separate carrier for each of four or moreindependent communications links, which is expensive.

Discrete multitone or DMT/TDD may offer some advantages in multipathfading environments over TDD, and may be considered. This option iseconomically imposing until DMT (also known as orthogonal discretefrequency modulation or ODFM), which requires rapid fast Fouriertransform and inverse FFT calculations, becomes more tractable usingconventional DSP engines.

Conveniently, the RT circuitry 680 need not conform to any errorinterface standard, since it communicates only with like equipment andusually does not interface to the PSTN or any other public networkexcept via a separate, higher quality transceiver if any is implementedin the Network Interface 650 or connected to it.

Systems according to the invention can be implemented with any number ofmodulation formats. Those include partial response, quadrature partialresponse (QPR), binary phase shift keying (BPSK), differential binaryphase shift keying (DBPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK), pi-over-fourquadrature phase shift keying (pi/4QPSK), pi-over-four differentialquadrature phase shift keying (pi/4DQPSK), frequency shift keying (FSK),four- or eight-level FM, discrete multitone (DMT) (or orthogonaldiscrete frequency modulation). The particular modulation format chosendepends in large degree on the radio regulations to be complied with,which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Proper operation ofsystems of the present invention may be accomplished using practicallyany modulation format, and none is considered essential to theinvention. QPSK or a variation of it may represent a good tradeoffbetween economy, bandwidth efficiency and sensitivity to multipathfading at present, however, and is accordingly as of the date of thisfiling the preferred modulation format.

Any modulation format can be overlaid with spread spectrum. Frequencyhopping can be used as a multiple access technique. Spread spectrumsystems are afforded the advantage of higher transmit power under theradio rules governing unlicensed radio transmitters in some countries,including the U.S. and Canada. In addition, some direct sequenceimplementations have anti-multipath properties which can be exploited toprovide more robust communications. Both techniques may offer someadvantages with respect to mitigating interference from like or unlikesystems operating within the same bandwidth. For these reasons, spreadspectrum techniques may be employed in the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Via an independent communications protocol, the RT unit 680 cancommunicate with other NCUs 100 that fall within radio range. The NCUs100 can share hopset data interference records, timing and usageinformation, all toward the end of avoiding one another's transmissions.In like manner, the components of each system, NCUs 100, WAUs 200,handsets 300 all transmit at the lowest power necessary to providereliable communications, using power management sensing and response tointerference or other criteria. In this manner, each system minimizesits “radius of interference,” the approximate circular area surroundinga given system within which it is capable of generating interference inother (like or unlike) systems operating in the same band.

Wireless Access Units

Wireless Access Units 200 according to the present invention may be oftwo general sorts: (1) analog for a wireless telephone jack functionsuch as one that can accommodate a telephone or a conventional modem; or(2) digital, for a wireless computer or digital device connection (suchas DB-25, USB, Ethernet, ISDN-ST, PCMCIA or similar serial or paralleldata communications connection).

FIG. 5 shows one form of analog WAU 200 according to the presentinvention. The analog WAU 200 may include a Radio Transceiver 800 whichlinks WAU 200 via RF connection to NCU 100, a Radio Multiplex Engine802, a Control Processor 804, and circuitry that provides basicsubscriber loop functions of battery, over voltage protection, ringing,supervision (off hook sensing), code, hybrid and test functionality (socalled borscht) functionality. The analog WAU 200 of FIG. 5 may beimplemented in a small unit which resembles a wall transformer with oneor more RJ-11 jacks on the back or side, and it can, if desired, drawpower from any AC outlet and provide an analog telephone type connectionto a computer modem, a fax machine, a telephone answering device, astandard telephone or any other device that connects with a standardRJ-11 jack. The unit may but need not be transparent to caller IDinformation, passing it through from the PSTN. Similarly, the unit maypass through coded ringing and other custom signaling. Its power supplyprovides power for standard telephones which are line powered. Its highvoltage ring generator rings telephones with the standard 90 volt rms,20-Hz ring signal or other standards for foreign countries. Note thatwhile this unit is typically though not necessarily “wired” to the ACpower wiring and therefore is not totally “wireless,” the link betweenthis unit and the incoming lines 640 connected to NCU 100 is wireless.It therefore eliminates the subscriber's need to place telephones wheretelephone outlets are located. Battery power, if employed, allowstotally wireless operation, providing even more flexibility in location.

A digital Wireless Access Unit 200 of one sort according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 6. Such a Wireless Access Unit 200 canprovide wireless connection to computers, computer peripherals, ISDN-STtelephone sets and other digital devices. Since the radio link used insystems according to the present invention is digital, the digitalcircuitry in the Wireless Access Unit 200 principally performs abuffering, error control, and protocol conversion function. The externaldigital interface can take many forms, including DB-25, the standardserial port connector; USB, Intel's new universal serial bus standard;parallel-port (printer) connection; Ethernet; 10-base-T; 100-base-T,Fast or Gigabit Ethernet; PCMCIA and others. Again, the WAU 200 may beof the sort which is adapted to operate with an external fax/modem suchas shown, for instance, in FIGS. 13A and B. Digital Wireless Access Unit200, like analog Wireless Access Unit 200, may be mains or batterypowered, so that they may provide untethered convenience to the user.

Personal Communications Links

Personal Communications Links (“PCLs”), according to the presentinvention, are hand-held units that may be used as handsets orspeakerphones. FIG. 14 is an illustration of one form of a PCL 500,according to the present invention. The PCL 500 includes a small outercase 530 having dimensions such as approximately 4 inches in length andapproximately 3 inches in width, so that the unit may be easily carriedin a pocket and/or a purse. An upper edge 540 of the case 530 houses aspeaker 570, a microphone 580, and an answer button 590. A liquidcrystal display 575 displays alpha-numeric characters relating to a callto the PCL 500. The answer button 590 on the upper edge 540 may bepressed to answer calls. The button 590 is activated when the unit 500is ringing. Side edges 592, 594 may include tactile strips 582, 584formed of conductive material. An antenna 523 is located on or near atop edge 537 of the case 530.

The display 575 may also be a dot matrix, CRT, or light emitting diodedisplay. A CRT display would display video signals received from the NCU100. The display 575 may also be equipped with a micro-camera fortwo-way video phone operation. The camera may be used forvideoconferencing purposes as well.

The PCL 500 does not include a keypad like the handsets of the presentinvention. Rather, the PCL acts as an aural input/output device for theNCU. The liquid crystal display 575 display status information from theNCU. When multiple lines are in use, the display 575 indicates the phoneline being used by the PCL. The PCL is dialed using voice-activateddialing. The user speaks the desired digits into the microphone 580 andvoice recognition circuitry within the PCL records the user's voice andtranslates the spoken words to the appropriate tones. Alternatively, thePCL 500 may be dialed using a touch-screen display in place of theliquid crystal display 575. The touch screen display would allow usersto touch “keys” that are shown in the display. Circuitry within the PCLwould then dial the correct digits.

The PCL is designed to be small and convenient to use. In addition, theunit need not be constantly monitored. Thus, for instance, if the deviceis misplaced, the other components of the web, such as the NCU, thewireless access units, and the handset may continue functioning. Thefinder feature, described in greater detail below, may be used to locatethe PCL.

FIG. 15 illustrates PCL circuitry, according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention. A single button 590 causes the PCL 500 to gooff-hook. The button 590 may also be used for other purposes, asdetermined by software stored in the PCL 500 or the NCU 100. The PCL 500includes a Radio Multiplex Engine 1500 that receives and demodulatesdownstream signals via radiofrequency link from NCU 100, a ControlProcessor 1504, a power source 1509, such as rechargeable Lithium ioncells, application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”) 1512, andanalog/digital conversion circuits 1514 such as so-called “codec's”.Talk and listen paths between the PCL 500 and the NCU are preferablyindependent. The PCL may also include a radio transceiver similar to theone used in the wireless access units.

In addition, the PCL 500 includes gain/balance and perhaps echocanceller circuitry 1515 for controlling the sensitivity of microphone580 and speaker 570. When gripped by a user, conductive strips 582, 584reduce the gain to microphone 580 and speaker 570, thus allowing theunit 500 to be held closely to the ear. When the user releases strips582, 584, the unit 500 acts as a speakerphone, with high volume throughspeaker 570 and high voice sensitivity through microphone 580. Althoughconductive strips 582, 584 are illustrated, other methods may be used toreduce the gain to PCL components when lifted to a user's ear. Forexample, a passive infrared remote (“PIR”) detector located near thespeaker may be used to detect the heat of the user's ear. When heat isdetected, the PIR detector reduces the gain to the loudspeaker and/orthe microphone. Also, the PCL may broadcast a spread spectrum audiosignal carried on an ultrasonic carrier from the speaker 1360. Returnecho on the carrier would then be used to sense when the unit is beingbrought close to the user's ear. Alternatively, the microphone 580 maybe programmed to listen for muting of this inaudible, ultrasonic signalthat occurs when the earpiece is covered.

DTMF/CID/CPT generator/detector circuitry 1519 provides generators anddetectors for dual tone multiple frequency (“DTMF”) tones, caller IDinformation, and call progress tones (“CPTs”). The CPT portion of thedetector/generator 1519 detects and generates several tones, includingbut not limited to call interrupt, high tone, dial tone, audibleringing, low tone, and busy tones. The PCL 500 may then provideinformation to the caller via the display 575. For instance, following aplaced call, the PCL 500 may be programmed to respond to an unansweredoutgoing call (ring back) by asking the caller if she would like the PCL500 to retry the call every five minutes. This request would bedisplayed on the display 575. The caller could respond using the button590.

In operation, PCL 500 performs as a handset/speakerphone. The PCL 500,preferably, has an estimated operating range of approximately1,000-2,000 feet from the NCU 100. NCU 100 transmits pings to the PCL500 at regular intervals. The PCL may simply listen to these pings,maintaining an awareness that it is within the range of the NCU 100. ThePCL may occasionally return a “pong” to the NCU 100. The NCU 100 canmeasure the length of time between its ping and the PCL's pong to derivethe range to the PCL. Using a directional antenna, phased array, digitalbeam-forming or other direction-finding technique, the NCU 100 canlocate the approximate relative bearing of the PCL 500. This informationmay be used locally by the NCU 100 or may be transmitted directly to thePCL 500, thereby enabling the user of the PCL 500 to “home” in on theNCU 100. This technology also permits another person at the NCU 100 totrack and locate the PCL 500, which may be pinned to a small child'sclothing. This ranging/positioning may be used in conjunction with otherdirect-sequence spread spectrum techniques described below. When a callis made to the PCL 500, ringing circuitry causes the speaker to emit thering. Pressing or squeezing the answer button 590 answers the call. Thebutton 590 may be programmed to be active or inactive when the unit isnot ringing. When the unit is not in use, it may be charged using acharger base (not shown).

Outside of the broadcast area of the NCU 100, the PCL 500 may beprogrammed to provide basic signaling, such as continuous beeping,vibrating, or display of a text message. If stored voice playback isincorporated into the PCL 500, it may be programmed to play back arecorded voice message at a particular time. FIG. 16 is a flow chart ofthe functionality of the PCL when out of range of the NCU 100. In step1602, the PCL determines that it is not within the range of the NCU 100.This may be done by receiving a series of pings from the NCU, asdescribed above. As long as the PCL 500 receives the pings from the NCU,it operates in a normal mode with normal sensitivity (approximately −94dBm). When the PCL is outside of the range of the NCU 100, it shifts toa different mode of operation in step 1606. In step 1608, the PCLadjusts its frequency for “waking up” downward, such that it listens formessages from the NCU 100 less frequently. The time during which the PCLis active and awake is increased, however, resulting in no substantialchange in duty cycle or battery life. During an awake interval, the PCLruns a direct-sequence spread spectrum (“DSSS”) algorithm on theincoming data stream. In particular, circuitry in the PCL 500 dumps rawdemodulated data into a correlator, which may be implemented in hardwareor software. In software, an integrated Advanced RISC Machine (“ARM”)processor performs the DSSS algorithm using an FIR matched filtertechnique. An integrate-and-dump accumulator or similar post-correlationdecoding method would follow the FIR filter to receive the results ofthe DSSS algorithm. The accumulator would trigger a sync algorithm whenits magnitude crosses a predetermined level. If the threshold issurpassed, the PCL decodes the message in step 1618. If the threshold isnot surpassed, the PCL ignores the incoming message in step 1616.

By virtue of direct-sequence processing gain, the PCL 500 is able toextend its receive sensitivity in direct proportion. Using a spreadingcode of length 100, a 20 dB improvement in receiver sensitivity may berealized. This would extend line-of-sight range approximately ten-fold,and range over typical terrain and foliage would be extendedapproximately three-fold. This improved range could be used to locate,either in range or in range and bearing (as discussed above), a PCL thathad been carried beyond the normal communications range of the system.While normal, two-way full-duplex, real-time voice communications mightnot be feasible while operating in this extended-range mode, digitalmessage, tone alerting, triggering or prerecorded or stored voiceinstructions, or sending any other short-length digitally coded messagewould be possible.

The NCU 100 may also communicate with the PCL 500 using basicalpha-numeric messaging. When the NCU 100 desires to transmit a messageto the PCL 500, the NCU 100 may transmit a series of alpha-numericsymbols directly to the PCL 500. The PCL 500 may include integratedcircuitry for receiving the message and displaying the message on thedisplay 575.

A PCL 500 may also be used for simplex communication with another PCLoutside the range of the NCU 100. In this mode, each PCL supports onlypush-to-talk communication. Prior to leaving the range, both PCLs may beconfigured by a personal computer. When the PCL leaves the range of theNCU 100, a user communicates with a second PCL by pressing the button590 and speaking into the microphone 580. Another user within range ofthe first PCL would hear the first user's voice through the speaker 570.Upon returning within range of the NCU 100, the unit would automaticallyreturn to a default, normal mode operation.

In another preferred embodiment, the PCL 500 may be modified to operatein two modes: (1) a standard mode when the PCL 500 is within the rangeof the NCU 100; and (2) a cellular or PCS mode when the PCL 500 isoutside the range of the NCU 100. As discussed above, the PCL 500listens for periodic pings from the NCU 100 to confirm that it is withinthe range of the NCU 100. When the PCL is outside of the NCU's range,mode switching circuitry allows the PCL to act like a standard cellularor PCS telephone. Alternatively, the PCL 500 may be modified to operateas a standard cellular or PCS telephone while within the range of theNCU 100.

In another preferred embodiment, the PCL 500 may be equipped with globalpositioning system (“GPS”) hardware and software. The GPShardware/software works in conjunction with GPS satellite systems toobtain a global position of the PCL. In addition, the GPS software woulddisplay a map on the display 575 indicating the position of the PCL.

Handset/PCL Finder

In addition, individual handsets and PCLs may be located using handsetlocator information programmed into the NCU controller. For instance,NCU controller may be programmed to monitor the existing-wiring RJ-11jack and to look for particular touch-tone patterns. Thus, when anindividual enters a particular code (e.g., “***”) into the telephoneconnected to the RJ-11 jack,, the NCU would recognize this pattern as alocator code. The NCU would then trigger a locator signal to one or morehandsets or PCLs. The handset or PCL, in turn, would emit a locatortone, such as a high-pitched “beep” from its earpiece or speaker. Inthis manner, handsets and PCLs could be easily located throughout alocation.

Wireless Control/Monitoring Accessories

Systems according to the present invention can also perform many controland monitoring functions at a subscriber's location for convenience andincreased efficiency. For instance, a wireless doorbell accessory or WAU200 can emit a coded ring in response to a ringing doorbell signal. Thesubscriber could then press an “intercom” soft key, placing thesubscriber in full duplex communications with the front door visitor andpossibly calling up his or her image on a display. Other wirelessaccessories can provide control over home lighting, garage door opening,and security monitoring. Likewise, via appropriate soft key, the handsetor other interface device can control televisions, stereo equipment,heating, air conditioning and appliances. Baby monitoring via wirelessaudio monitor and other consumer electronics functionality areaccommodated by the present system, whether or not via the CE-bus.

Operation

The four main component parts of systems of the present invention, asdisclosed above, are the Network Control Unit 100, Wireless Access Units200, handsets 300 and Wireless Control/Monitoring Accessories 350. Whileeach component may contain an onboard microcontroller which governs itsbasic functions, the NCU 100 alone or acting in concert with externalcontroller capacity is preferably the principal controller and managerof the entire communications web. All remote components are preferablysimple, reliable and preferably of limited intelligence/functionalityfor reduced costs and increased modularity and so that systemperformance and functions are principally determined by the NCU 100. TheNCU 100 may contain on-line firmware and/or software upgrade capabilityas discussed above. Through this capacity and the centralizedintelligence architecture of the systems according to present invention,functioning of the entire system can be upgraded, new features added,software bugs repaired and hardware bugs patched, all by downloading newfirmware into the new NCU 100.

The majority of the NCU's computer program code is preferably maintainedin flash, reprogrammable memory. Firmware in remote units are preferablyimplemented in ROM memory, although not necessarily.

The NCU 100 is the central part of the systems' star network topologyfor the entire system, the NCU 100 selects RF channels, hop sequences ifany, and spreading codes if any; it managers ID strings for the variousremotes, and it performs the other functions related to networkmanagement, remote unit registration and authentication, andcommunications protocol management. The NCU 100 also controls theswitching and interconnection of the CAB 660, and drives all theAccessory Block features of CAB 660. The following examples describeoperation of two embodiments of the communications webs according to thepresent invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A system according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12A and12B with four incoming POTS lines, an NCU 100 in the basement or attic,a wireless handset, and three Wireless Access Units 200 which correspondto a telephone, a computer, and a fax machine. The system may beprogrammed as follows: POTS line 1 is programmed in the CAB 660 to ringthrough and connect to the LCD handset 300. POTS line 2 rings throughand connects to Wireless Access Unit number 1 which is connected to astandard telephone via an RJ-11 jack. POTS line 3 connects to WirelessAccess Unit number 2, which, in turn, accommodates a fax machine. POTSline 4 connects to Wireless Access Unit number 3 which connects viaRS-232 interface to a personal computer.

Signals from POTS lines 1-4 are coupled to Radio Multiplex Engine 670,multiplexed as in TDMA format and modulated onto an RF carrier in RT ordigital radio modem 680 for transmission. Handset 300 receives thesignal from the NCU 100, and demodulates, demultiplexes and processesthe information intended for handset 300. That information is containedin a signal provided to the interfacing circuitry and coder/decoder 650for delivery to the human interface. The signals are also provided to anLCD driver and screen. In an upstream direction, signals from the keypadand microphone are processed, multiplexed, modulated and forwarded toNCU 100 which ultimately demodulates, demultiplexes and processes thesignals for delivery to POTS line 1. Wireless Access Units 1-3 operategenerally in a similar manner as far as the RF and multiplexingcircuitry are concerned. However, Wireless Access Unit number 1 containsinterface circuitry adapted to accommodate a standard telephone,including, for example, coder/decoder circuitry, line interface,battery, supervision, and ring generator circuitry which interfaces toan RF-11 jack. Wireless Access Unit number 2 interface circuitryintended for a fax machine may be similar or identical to WirelessAccess Unit number 1.

Wireless Access Unit number 3 is configured with interface circuitry toaccommodate a RS-232 port rather than an RF-11 analog jack. Accordingly,forward error correction, universal asynchronous receiver/transmitterand handshaking circuitry is included in connection with RS-232 serialport standards.

If the subscriber desires to eliminate POTS line 4, for example, or onlyto subscribe to it for a portion of the day, POTS line 3 could bereprogrammed in the CAB 660 to accommodate Wireless Access Unit number 3for computer communications while POTS line 2 is configured to ringthrough to Wireless Access Units 1 and 2 for the telephone and faxmachine. Any other combination may be employed as desired, as the userdesires new services or different services, or adds devices to thecommunications web with their attendant Wireless Access Units.

EXAMPLE 2

Another system according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13Aand 13B with two incoming POTS lines and an ISDN line. POTS line 1 isprogrammed in CAB 660 of Network Control Unit 100 to ring through andconnect to LCD handset 300. POTS line 2 is programmed to ring throughand connect to Wireless Access Units number 1 and number 2, which inturn connect to the standard telephone and a fax machine, respectively.The ISDN line is programmed to connect to Wireless Access Unit number 3and thus to a computer via a serial port. Again, the lines may beprogrammed to connect to various handsets 300 and Wireless Access Units200 as needed as the user desires new or additional services or addsother devices. With the existing devices shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, forinstance, the user could program CAB 660 to connect POTS line 1 tohandset 300 and Wireless Access Units 1 and 2 in order to eliminate thesecond POTS line. Similarly, line 1 could be designated the voice linefor connection to handset 300 and Wireless Access Unit number 1. Line 1or Line 2 could also be wired in the Network Interface 650 or otherwiseto connect directly through to existing wiring as shown in FIGS. 13A and13B.

The foregoing has been provided for purposes of disclosing variousembodiments of the present invention. Communications webs according tothe present invention and their components and processes may containvarious modifications and adaptations, including those which employ newstandards and modes of implementation, without departing from the scopeor spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communications web for use by a public switchedtelecommunications network (“PSTN”) subscriber, the web comprising: a.at least one Web Control Unit, the Web Control unit in turn comprising:i. at least one web interface, the web interface adapted to be connectedto the PSTN, the interface adapted to render the signals from the PSTNcompatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to render theupstream signals compatible with the PSTN; ii. at least one switchadapted to couple signals from each of the at least one web interface toat least one output, in accordance with control signals provided by aprogrammable controller; iii. a programmable controller adapted tocontrol said switch according to the number and types of PSTNconnections coupled to the at least one web interface; the number, typesand locations of telephones, handsets and other devices serviced by thecommunications web; and the desires of the subscriber; iv.multiplex/demultiplex circuitry coupled to the switch and adapted tomultiplex downstream signals received from said switch outputs into formcompatible for delivery to multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, and todemultiplex upstream signals received from the multiplex/demultiplexcircuitry for delivery to the switch; b. at least one communicationslink, the communications link comprising: i. multiplex/demultiplexcircuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from theweb control unit and to multiplex upstream signals received fromgenerator/detector circuitry for delivery to the Web Control Unit andcompatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplexcircuitry in the Web Control Unit; and iii. generator/detector circuitryfor generating and detecting dual tone multiple frequency tones and callprogress tones; iv. a loudspeaker; and v. a microphone.
 2. The webaccording to claim 1, wherein the communications link further comprisesmeans for controlling sensitivity of the loudspeaker and a sensitivityof the microphone.
 3. The web according to claim 2 wherein the means forcontrolling a sensitivity of said loudspeaker and sensitivity of saidmicrophone further comprises: at least one tactile conductive strip;gain circuitry coupled to the conductive strip, the gain circuitryreducing gain to the loudspeaker and the microphone in response to atouching of the conductive strip.
 4. The web according to claim 2wherein the means for controlling sensitivity of said loudspeaker and asensitivity of said microphone further comprises means for broadcastinga spread spectrum audio signal on an ultrasonic carrier from saidspeaker, said controlling means reducing gain to said loudspeaker andsaid microphone when an echo of said audio signal is returned.
 5. Theweb according to claim 1, wherein the generator detector circuitrygenerates tones in response to signals received from the microphone. 6.The web according to claim 1, wherein the communications link furthercomprises a liquid crystal display.
 7. The web according to claim 6,wherein the display lists a PSTN line in use by the subscriber.
 8. Theweb according to claim 6, wherein the communications link furthercomprises global positioning system circuitry displaying a location ofthe communications link on the display.
 9. The web according to claim 1,wherein the communications link further comprises a cathode ray tubedisplay.
 10. The web according to claim 1, wherein the communicationslink further comprises microcamera circuitry that transmits upstreamsignals to the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.
 11. The web according toclaim 1 further comprising: at least one digital Wireless Access Unit,comprising: i. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstreamsignals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate saiddownstream signals for delivery to multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, andto modulate upstream signals delivered from said multiplex/demultiplexcircuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport saidsignals via RF link to said Web Control Unit, ii. multiplex/demultiplexcircuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from saidtransceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals received frominterface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry andcompatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplexcircuitry in said Web Control Unit; and iii. interface circuitry adaptedto receive downstream signals from said multiplex/demultiplex circuitryand render said downstream signals compatible for use by thesubscriber's equipment for delivery to at least one interface to saidsubscriber's equipment, and to receive upstream signals from said atleast one interface and render said upstream signals compatible for useby and delivery to said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.
 12. Acommunications web for use by a public switched telecommunicationsnetwork (“PSTN”) subscriber, the web comprising: a. at least one WebControl Unit, the Web Control Unit in turn comprising: i. at least oneweb analog interface, the interface adapted to be connected to the PSTN;and ii. transceiver circuitry coupled to the interface and adapted tomodulate the downstream digital signals onto at least one radiofrequencycarrier in order to transmit the signals via radiofrequency link, and toreceive upstream digital signals on the radiofrequency link anddemodulate them; b. at least one communications link (“PCL”), said PCLcomprising: i. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive the downstreamdigital signals via radiofrequency link from the Web Control Unit and todemodulate said downstream signals; and to modulate upstream signalsonto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RFlink to the Web Control Unit; and ii. multiplex/demultiplex circuitryadapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from the transceivercircuitry and to multiplex upstream signals received from interfacecircuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible foreventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry in saidWeb Control Unit; and iii. interface circuitry adapted to receivedownstream signals from the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, convert thedownstream signals to analog and render the downstream signalscompatible for use by at least one loudspeaker and at least one display,and to receive upstream signals from a microphone, convert said upstreamsignals to digital and render the upstream signals compatible for use byand delivery to said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.
 13. The webaccording to claim 12, wherein the communications link furthercomprises: circuitry for sensing when the communications link is outsideof a predetermined range of the control unit.
 14. The web according toclaim 13, wherein the sensing circuitry further comprises: filteringcircuitry that receives demodulated data from the transceiver circuitry,the filtering circuitry performing a direct sequence spread spectrumalgorithm on the demodulated data; accumulator circuitry that receives aresult of the direct sequence spread spectrum algorithm and triggers async algorithm when a predetermined threshold has been reached.
 15. Theweb according to claim 12, further comprising: a second communicationslink in direct communication with the first communications link when thefirst and the second communications link are outside a predeterminedrange of the Web Control Unit.
 16. The web according to claim 15,wherein the first communications link and the second communications linkmay be configured by a personal computer.
 17. The web according to claim12, wherein the communications link further comprises: mode switchingcircuitry that switches the communications link to a cellular telephonewhen outside of the range of the Web Control Unit.
 18. The web accordingto claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises means forcontrolling sensitivity of the loudspeaker and a sensitivity of themicrophone.
 19. The web according to claim 18 wherein the means forcontrolling a sensitivity of said loudspeaker and sensitivity of saidmicrophone further comprises: at least one tactile conductive strip;gain circuitry coupled to the conductive strip, the gain circuitryreducing gain to the loudspeaker and the microphone in response to atouching of the conductive strip.
 20. The web according to claim 18wherein the means for controlling sensitivity of said loudspeaker and asensitivity of said microphone further comprises means for broadcastinga spread spectrum audio signal on an ultrasonic carrier from saidspeaker, said controlling means reducing gain to said loudspeaker andsaid microphone when an echo of said audio signal is returned.
 21. Theweb according to claim 12, wherein the generator detector circuitrygenerates tones in response to signals received from the microphone. 22.The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link furthercomprises a liquid crystal display.
 23. The web according to claim 22,wherein the display lists a PSTN line in use by the subscriber.
 24. Theweb according to claim 22, wherein the communications link furthercomprises global positioning system circuitry displaying a location ofthe communications link on the display.
 25. The web according to claim12, wherein the communications link further comprises a cathode ray tubedisplay.
 26. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communicationslink further comprises microcamera circuitry that transmits upstreamsignals to the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.
 27. The web according toclaim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises circuitryfor receiving alphanumeric messages from the web control unit.
 28. Theweb according to claim 27, wherein the communications link furthercomprises circuitry for displaying the alphanumeric messages receivedfrom the web control unit.
 29. The web according to claim 12, whereinthe communications link further comprises a touch screen display.